Multifunctional articulated drilling machine with improved stability

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional articulated drilling machine, particularly but not exclusively adapted for excavation and drilling operations in galleries and tunnels, includes a vehicle equipped with tracks and a drilling member, a connection arm adapted to connect the drilling member to the vehicle, a first constraining system constraining the lower end of the arm to the vehicle, and a second constraining system constraining the guide of the drilling member to the upper end of the arm. The tracks can be translated crosswise in order to vary the distance between them.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present patent relates to drilling rigs and especially relates to a new multifunctional articulated drilling machine with improved stability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art comprises self-propelled drilling machines that is, a vehicle on which the working members are mounted.

Drilling machines comprising a vehicle equipped with a frame, a self-propelled chassis, and a drilling member are known in the prior art. Said drilling member is supported by a device generally consisting of:

a tilting support which allows the movement of the drilling member on the horizontal plane. Said support may also include a front coupler, placed in a vertical position perpendicular to the support surface having a rotation axis parallel to the running direction of the self-propelled chassis;

an arm constrained to the tilting support the constraint of which allows it to rotate on the vertical plane thus allowing the drilling height to vary with respect to the support surface; and

a support articulated by means of one or more constraints, which allows the orientation of the drilling member to be varied on one or more planes.

Said well-known assembly enables different types of drilling to be conducted including:

Drilling in a direction parallel to the forward direction of the self-propelled chassis, covering a semi-circular area;

Radial drilling and/or drilling perpendicular to the forward direction of the self-propelled chassis; and

Vertical and/or sub-vertical drilling on the front and on the side of the machine.

The drilling member generally comprises a drilling head translating on a respective guide, where the guide of the drilling head is constrained to at least one arm, the latter in turn constrained to a tilting support solidly connected with the vehicle frame.

Therefore, a machine of the type described above substantially allows traditional drilling to be performed in open environments as well as drilling and bolting operations in underground environments.

In particularly restricted environments, the movement and positioning maneuvers of the machine can be extremely complicated and are sometimes limited by the machine's dimensions and/or its movements in order to ensure its stability. Furthermore, if machines are equipped with drilling members having particularly long guides (generally having drill head strokes greater than 7 meters), there may also be limitations on the movements and/or the orientation of the drilling member for the purpose of maintaining the stability of the machine. Given this, it is often necessary to use multiple types of machines and/or less efficient machines to cope with the various types of intervention required.

The prior art also reflects the problem related to excavations carried out with a machine positioned on inclined or bumpy surfaces which sometimes require specific orientations of the drilling member.

It also reflects the fact that some movements and positioning of the drilling members and of the drilling head cause imbalances which could compromise the stability of the drilling machine.

This also occurs in a more marked way according to the type and conformation of the ground on which the drilling machine rests.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To obviate the aforesaid drawbacks, a new type of multifunctional articulated drilling machine with improved stability has been designed and constructed.

The main object of the present invention is to ensure the stability of the machine by modifying, in a selective and possibly automatic way, its set up according to the condition and conformation of the ground on which it rests and according to the type of operation and movement to be performed.

Another object of the present invention is to ensure high precision in the progressive positioning of the drilling member, thanks to special devices, described and claimed below.

A further object is to increase the angles of orientation of the drilling member with respect to devices in the prior art.

Still another object is to be able to tilt the mast in a vertical and sub-vertical position in such a way that it can be positioned in a semicircular work area projected onto the work/support surface, thus preventing the need for the machine to be moved.

These and other objects, direct and complementary, are achieved by the new articulated drilling machine comprising in its main parts:

a self-propelled motor vehicle, in turn comprising a frame and a chassis equipped with at least one pair of tracks arranged parallel to each other;

at least one drilling member, preferably mounted on the front of the vehicle, with respect to the direction of forward motion, this drilling member in turn comprising a drilling head translating on a respective guide;

at least one arm connecting the drilling member to the vehicle;

first means for constraining the arm to the vehicle, where the first constraining means comprise at least one first pin with a vertical rotation axis, at least one first hinge with a rotation axis orthogonal to the direction of forward motion, to vary the inclination of the arm with respect to the vehicle's support surface;

second constraining means of the guide of the drilling member to the arm, wherein the second constraining means comprise at least one second hinge mounted on the arm and having an axis parallel to the first hinge at the opposite end of the arm, at least one pin or bearing ring with a rotation axis orthogonal to the second hinge, at least one third hinge with a rotation axis orthogonal to the pin or bearing ring,

wherein the relative distance between the tracks is variable symmetrically or asymmetrically depending on the operating conditions of the machine.

Specifically, the relative distance between the tracks can be increased or decreased to ensure maximum stability during the movement of the machine and/or of the drilling member according to the available maneuvering space.

The machine may comprise at least one control or safety system which, according to the positioning data of the tracks and the positioning and movement data of the machine and the drilling member, signals the most appropriate position of the tracks with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

The control and safety system may also, according to the positioning data, authorize or prevent one or more movements of the drilling member. The system may also appropriately signal the need to modify the position of the tracks with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine to ensure the best stability.

Once the tracks have been positioned appropriately or as required, the system will allow the specific movement of the drilling member which had previously been prevented.

In an alternative embodiment, the drilling machine also comprises, between the first constraining means of the at least one arm to the vehicle, at least one further front bearing ring constrained to the pin and able to rotate with a horizontal rotation axis orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the pin itself. Said first hinge is mounted on the bearing ring, so that its axis of rotation is parallel to the resting plane of the front bearing ring, and where the first front bearing ring can rotate by an angle of at least ±90° with respect to the vertical direction, consequently rotating the arm and the drilling member.

The first constraining means of the arm to the frame enable the arm to be oriented in any direction on the half-plane vertical and orthogonal to the direction of forward motion of the machine, for example within the angle ±90° or more, with respect to the vertical direction, to rotate the half-plane on the vertical axis of the first pin and to incline the half-plane by means of the first hinge.

In contrast the second constraining means of the drilling member to the arm enables the inclination of the drilling head to be varied with respect to the half-plane as well as rotating it around the axis of the second pin.

These first and second constraining means therefore enable the drilling head to be positioned in any direction necessary to perform the drilling of any segment of a tunnel, without ever having to move the machine until the segment is completed.

In order to have greater control of the movement and of the positioning of the head, the first front bearing ring of the first constraining means may be moved by means of a suitable gear box to control the rotation of the bearing ring around its axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the new articulated drilling machine will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawings, attached by way of a non-limiting example.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the new machine (M), showing a first movement (A) of the drilling member (3), actuated by means of the tilting support, and especially the rotation movement around a first vertical axis (Z1). The tracks (61, 62) are shown in a retracted position towards the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the machine (M).

FIG. 1a shows a top view of the new machine (M) with the tracks (61, 62) in a expanded configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the machine (M) where the movement (C) of rotation of the arm (2) of the drilling member (3) is shown around a first horizontal axis (Y1), orthogonal to the direction of motion (X) of the machine (M).

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the machine (M) where the movement (D) of rotation of the drilling member (3) is shown with respect to the arm (2) around a second horizontal axis (Y2), orthogonal to the direction of motion (X) of the machine (M).

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the new machine (M), showing a further movement (E) of the drilling member (3), and especially the rotation around a second vertical axis (Z2).

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the machine (M) where the movement (F) of rotation of the drilling member (3) is shown around a third horizontal axis (Y3), orthogonal to the direction of motion (X) of the machine (M). In FIG. 5 the translation movement (G) of the drilling head (32) on the relative translation guide (31) of the drilling member (3) is also shown.

FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the machine (M) highlighting the movement (H) of the tracks (61, 62) which can increase or reduce their reciprocal distance (63), as needed by simultaneous and opposite translation along a horizontal orthogonal direction (Y) to the direction of motion (X).

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the machine (M) where the possible movement (G) of rotation (X1) of the drilling member (3) together with the arm (2) of the drilling member itself is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The new articulated drilling machine (M) is particularly useful for excavations and drilling in tunnels as well as for ordinary drilling in open environments. The new machine (M) comprises a self-propelled motor vehicle (1), in turn comprising a chassis (11) equipped with at least one pair of tracks (61, 62) arranged substantially next to each other and parallel, for the movement of the machine in a direction (X) generally horizontal or parallel to the ground (T).

The new machine (M) also comprises at least one drilling member (3), preferably mounted on the front of the vehicle (1), with respect to the direction of movement (X).

Said drilling member (3) in turn comprises a drilling head (32) mounted and translating on a relative guide (31).

Said drilling member (3) is connected to the vehicle (1) by at least one arm (2), first constraining means (5) of the lower end (2 a) of the arm (2) to the vehicle (1), and second constraining means (4) of the guide (31) of the drilling member (3) at the upper end (2 b) of said arm (2).

Said arm (2) further comprises one or more oleodynamic cylinders (21, 22), preferably a pair, or means generally suited to control the movements of the arm (2) itself.

The first constraining means (5) comprises at least one first pin (51) with a vertical rotation axis (Z1) (FIG. 1), suited to rotate the whole arm (2)—drilling member (3) assembly on the vertical axis (Z1).

The rotation movement (A) of the arm (2)—drilling member (3) assembly on the vertical axis (Z1) is shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first constraining means (5) may also include at least one front ring bearing (53) constrained to the first pin (51) and rotating on its resting plane with a horizontal rotation axis (X1) orthogonal to the vertical rotation axis (Z1) of the pin (51).

The rotation of said front ring bearing (53) is preferably controlled by means of a gear box connected thereto, which causes its controlled rotation about its axis (X1).

Said front ring bearing (53) can rotate at an angle comprised at least between +90° and −90° with respect to the vertical direction (Z), thus being able to orientate the arm (2)—drilling member (3) assembly in any direction on the vertical half-plane orthogonal to the direction of motion (X) of the machine, that is, on the resting plane of the front ring bearing (53).

The movement (G) due to the rotation of the front ring bearing (53) is shown in FIG. 7.

The first constraining means (5) also comprises at least one first hinge (52) directly or indirectly constrained to the first pin (51) or to the front ring bearing (53), with a horizontal rotation axis (Y1) and orthogonal to the vertical axis (Z1) of the pin (51) or parallel to the resting plane of the front ring bearing (53).

In this way, the hinge (52) varies the inclination of the arm (2), and the relative movement (C) is shown in FIG. 2.

The first constraining means (5) of the arm (2) to the vehicle (1) therefore allows the arm (2)—drilling member (3) assembly to be oriented in any direction.

The second constraining means (4) of the guide (31) of the drilling member (3) to the arm (2) comprises at least one second hinge (41) mounted at the upper end (2 b) of the arm (2) (FIG. 3). Said second hinge (41) has a rotation axis (Y2) parallel to the axis (Y1) of the first hinge (53) at the opposite end (2 a) of the arm (2).

Said second hinge (42) allows the movement (D) of rotation of the drilling member (3) as indicated in FIG. 3.

The second constraining means (4) also comprises at least one second pin or ring bearing (42) connected to the second hinge (41) and having a rotation axis (Z2) orthogonal to the second hinge (41) (FIG. 4).

The movement (E) of rotation of the drilling member permitted by the second pin or ring bearing (42) is indicated in FIG. 4.

The second constraining means (4) also comprises at least one third hinge (43) (FIG. 5) connected to the second pin or ring bearing (42) and with a rotation axis (Y3) orthogonal to the axis (Z2) of the second pin or ring bearing (42).

The movement (F) of rotation of the drilling member (3) allowed by the third hinge (43) is shown in FIG. 5.

The second constraining means (4) of the drilling member (3) to the arm (2) therefore enables the inclination of the head (32) to vary with respect to a vertical plane and to rotate it around the axis (Z2) of the second pin (41).

The second constraining means (4) is for example and preferably of the type described in patent EP1696100 of Comacchio International S.A. That is, it comprises a rotatable support for inclinable masts, comprising a connecting element (45) hinged to the arm (2), a coupling element (46) constrained to the drilling member (3) and hinged to the connecting element (45) by means of a pair of superimposed hinges (47) having the same rotation axis (Z2), a pair of pistons or actuators (44), each of which is hinged to the connecting element (45) and to the coupling element (46), suited to rotate the coupling element (46), and where the superimposed hinges (47) are spaced apart from each other to allow the piston (44) to pass as it elongates in order to rotate the coupling element (46) and consequently the drilling member (3), around the axis (Z2).

To ensure the stability of the machine according to the conditions of the ground on which the machine rests and depending on the type of work and movements to be performed, it is possible to vary the distance (63) between the tracks (61, 62) of the chassis (11).

Specifically, the tracks (61, 62) can move apart or toward each other, thus increasing or reducing the distance (63) between them, translating in a direction (Y) substantially orthogonal to the direction of motion (X). The movement (H) performed by the tracks (61, 62) is shown in FIG. 6.

The translation of each track (61, 62) is suitably equal and opposite to that of the counterposed track (62, 61), with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine (M), in such a way as to maintain the symmetry of the chassis (11).

These specifications are sufficient for the expert person to make the invention, as a result, in the practical application there may be variations without prejudice to the substance of the innovative concept.

Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and the attached drawings the following claims are made. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) comprising: a self-propelled motor vehicle (1), with a chassis (11) equipped with at least one pair of tracks (61, 62) for a forward movement of the drilling machine in at least one advancement direction (X); and at least one drilling member (3) comprising a drilling head (32) mounted and translating (G) on a respective guide (31), further comprising: at least one arm (2) configured to connect said drilling member (3) to said motor vehicle (1); a first constraining system (5) adapted to constrain a lower end (2 a) of said arm (2) to said vehicle (1), wherein said first constraining system (5) comprises: at least one first pin (51) with vertical axis of rotation (Z1), adapted to enable a rotating movement (A) of an entire arm (2)—drilling member (3) assembly on said vertical axis (Z1) at least one first hinge (52) which directly or indirectly connects to said first pin (51) and to which said lower end (2 a) of said arm (2) is hinged, said first hinge (52) being adapted to enable a rotating movement (C) of said arm (2); and a drilling member (3) assembly around a horizontal axis (Y1), which is orthogonal to the advancement direction (X) of the machine; a second constraining system (4) adapted to constrain the guide (31) of the drilling member (3) to an upper end (2 b) of said arm (2), wherein said second constraining system (4) comprises: at least one second hinge (41) mounted at an upper end (2 b) of the arm (2) and enabling a rotating movement (D) of said guide (31) around an axis (Y2), which is parallel to the axis (Y1) of said first hinge (52) at the opposite end (2 a) of the arm (2); at least one second pin or ring bearing (42) connected to said second hinge (41) and adapted to enable a rotating movement (E) of said guide (31) around a rotation axis (Z2) which is orthogonal to said second hinge (41); and at least one third hinge (43) connected to said second pin or ring bearing (42) and adapted to enable a rotating movement (F) of said guide (31) around an axis (Y3), which is orthogonal to the rotation axis (Z2) of said second pin or ring bearing (42), wherein said tracks (61, 62) of said chassis (11) selectively translate in a direction (Y) which is substantially orthogonal to the advancement direction (X) and in an opposite direction, thereby increasing or reducing a distance (63) therebetween, in a symmetric or asymmetric manner with respect to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the drilling machine (M).
 2. The multifunctional articulated machine according to claim 1, wherein a translation of each track (61) is substantially opposite and equal to a translation of an opposite track (62) with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the drilling machine (M).
 3. The multifunctional articulated machine according to claim 1, further comprising at least one control or safety system which, according to data regarding position and movement of the drilling machine (M) and of the drilling member (3), indicates a most appropriate position for said tracks (61, 62).
 4. The multifunctional articulated machine according to claim 3, wherein said control or safety system authorizes or prevents the movement of said drilling member (3) according to data regarding a position of said tracks (61, 62) and to data regarding position and movement of said machine (M) and of said drilling member (3).
 5. The multifunctional articulated machine according to claim 1, wherein said first constraining system (5) further comprises at least one front ring bearing (53) constrained to said first pin (51) and rotating on a plane on which said first pin lies, a horizontal rotation axis (X1) of said pin being orthogonal to said vertical rotation axis (Z1) of the pin (51), said front ring bearing being adapted to enable a rotary movement (B) of said arm (2)—drilling member (3) assembly around said horizontal axis (X1), wherein said front ring bearing (53) rotates by an angle included at least between +90° and −90° with respect to a vertical direction (Z).
 6. The multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) according to claim 5, wherein said arm (2) is orientable in any direction on a vertical half plane orthogonal to the advancement direction (X) of the drilling machine through said first constraining system (5), and wherein said half plane is rotatable on the vertical axis (Z1) of said first pin (51) and becomes inclined by way of said first hinge (52).
 7. The multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) according to claim 6, wherein said head (32) is adapted to be inclined with respect to said half plane (P) and rotated around the rotation axis (Z2) of said second pin (41) through said second constraining system (4).
 8. The multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) according to claim 1, wherein said second constraining system comprises a connection element (45) hinged to said arm (2), a coupling element (46) constrained to the drilling member (3) and hinged to said connection element (45) with one pair of superimposed hinges (47) having the same rotation axis (Z2), and one pair of pistons or actuators (44) each hinged to said connection element (45) and to said coupling element (46) and configured to rotate said coupling element (46), wherein said superimposed hinges (47) are spaced from each other so as to enable a passage of the piston (44) during an extension thereof, in order to enable said coupling element (46) and consequently said drilling member (3) to be rotated around said rotation axis (Z2).
 9. The multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) according to claim 1, wherein said drilling member (3) is mounted on a front part (14) of said vehicle (1) with respect to the advancement direction (X).
 10. The multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) according to claim 1, wherein said arm (2) comprises one or more hydraulic cylinders (21, 22) or other member adapted to control the movements of said arm (2). 